Devils Lake inter-ocean. (Devils Lake, Ramsey Co., Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1905, 1887-07-09

IL uISuoG VI tu1S arrangement was that
they We're thrown more together than ever
before. Meanwhile the siege dragged its
slow length along. Nonews whatever reached
the town from outside, but that did not
trouble the inhabitants very much, as they
were sure that Colley was advancing to their
relief and even got up sweepstakes as to the
date Of his arrival. Now and then a sortie
took place, but Us the results attained were
very small and were not on the whole credit.
ablet to our arms, perhaps the less said about
them the better. John, of course, went out
on these occasions, and then jess would en-
dure agonies that were oil the worse because
she had to conceal them. She lived in con-
slant terror lest he should be among the
killed. However nothing happened to him,
and things went on as usual till the 18th of
February, OH which day all attack was made
on n place called the Red House kraal. which
was occupied by Beers, near u spot known as
the Six Mile Spruit.
The force. which was a mixed one, left
Pretoria before daybreak, and John went
with it. He was rather surprised when. on
going to the cart i'll which Jess slept, to get
some little thing before saddlins up, to find
her sitting on the box in the night dews with a
cup Of coffee she had prepared for him in her
hand.
"Wlat do you mean by this jess" lie asked,
sharply. Il will not nave you getting up in
the middle of the night to make coffee for
me-"
Il have not got up" she answered, quietly;
II have not been to bed"
THAT makes matters worse" he said; but
nevertheless lie drank the coffee, and was glad
to get it, while she sat on the box and watched
him.
"Put on your shawl and get something over
your head" he said, "the dew will soak you
through. Look, your hair is all wet"
Presently she spoke. Il wish you would do
something for me, john for she called him
John now. will you promises"
slow like n woman" be said, "to ask one
to promise a thing without saying what it is"
II a you to promise for Bessie's sake"
she said.
"Wcll, what is it, JESSE"
"Not to so on this sortie. You know YOU
can easily get out of it if you like"
He laughed. you little silly; why nota'
Lob, 1 don't know. Don't laugh at me, be-
cause l am nervous. 1 am afraid that-that
something might happen to YOU"
"Well," he remarked, consolingly, "every
bullet has its billet, and if it does l don't see
that it can be helped"
"Think of Bessie" she said again.
look here, JESS" he answered, testify,
"what is the good of trying to AXE the heart
out of a fellow like this? II am going to be
shot l can't help it, and I am not going to
show the white feather, even for Bessie's
sake; so there you are, and now l must be
off,"
You are quite right, John" she said, quiz
city; II should not have liked to hear you
say anything different, but I could not help
speaking. Good by, John; God bless your
and she stretched down her hand, which he
took, and went.
upon my word, she has given me quite a
turn reflected John to himself as the troop
crept on through the white mists of dawn.
II suppose that she thinks that I am going Il
he plugged. Perhaps I am! I wonder how
Bessie would take it. She would be awfully
cut up, but l expect that she would get ovel
it pretty soon. Now I don't think that Jes;
would get over a thing of that sort in a hurry
That is just the difference between the two
the one is all flower and the other is all root.
And then he fell to wondering how Bessie
was and what she was doing, and if she misset
him as much as he missed her, and SO on, til
his mind came back to jess, and he reflected
what q charming companion she was, ant
how thoughtful and kind, and breathed {
secret hope that she would continue to liv.
with them after they were married. Some
how they had got to those terms. perfectly
innocent in themselves, in which two peopl
become absolutely necessary to each other
daily life. Indeed. Jess had got a long wa,
further than that, but Of this he was Of cours
ignorant. He was still at the former stage
and was not himself aware how large a pro
portion of his daily thoughts were occupied
by this dark eyed girl, or how completely he
personality was overshadowing him. He only
knew that she had the knack of making hin
feel thoroughly happy in her society. Whel
lie was talking to her, or even sitting SILENT.
by her, he became aware Of a sensation o
~restfulness and reliance that he had never be
fore experienced in the society of a woman
OF course this was to a large extent tn
natural homage of the weaker nature to th
stronger, but it was also something more. 1
was the shadow Of that utter sympathy an